Fred

An obvious funny memory of Fred was when he pour cherrios on the kitchen floor and then milk, then swimming. But one of the times that made me proudest of him was when he was playing baseball for Kevin Gleed. The had a good team and Kevin’s son, Cameron, was on it. Cameron had a hard time hitting at the time. He had a good swing, but couldn’t connect. He would strike out repeatedly. after one such strikeout, he came back to the dug out and said, “I can’t do it anymore. Everyone hates me, and I always strikeout.” Freddy was 9 at the time and he said, “Cameron, you can’t think that way. You just have to get up next time and know you can do it. And if you strike out again, be more determined the next time.” Cameron went up the next time and got a base hit and people cheered and couldn’t believe it. And no one really believed that it would happen again.

In the ninth inning, Cameron came up with the bases loaded and we were behind by 2 runs. No doubt, with Fred’s words ringing in his ears, Cameron hit one to the center field fence, clearing the bases and making our team win the game. Kevin coordinated the traditional shaking of hands and then when just about everyone was gone, he went to the mound and pumped his fists in triumph.

In his entire life, Fred has helped brothers, and sisters, and friends become more than they thought they can be. That is how to live life in the pattern of the Master, for whom it is His work and glory.